If I open the folder containing a file with windows explorer (windowsXP
service pack 3) and place my cursor over the .avi file, an error window pops
up showing a "Data Execution prevention" and explorer is stopped. Evidently
windows explorer tries to execute something that is able to display a
thumbnail of a frame of the video. This happens even if the "Explorer Bar"
is set to something like "folders" which wouldn't display the thumbnail.
This "prevention" can be turned off by going to control
panel/system/advanced/performance/data execution prevention, selecting the
"Turn on DEP except for" and checking "Windows Explorer". A reboot is
necessary.
Adding a DEP exception for Windows Explorer is not a solution to the
problem and may compromise your security.
Data Execution Prevention (DEP) messages mean that Windows feels
threatened by some program running on your computer, so it shuts it
down. This is actually a good thing since Windows recognizes the
threat and is trying to prevent further damage.
Perform some scans for malicious software, then fix any remaining
issues:
Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:
Malwarebytes (MBAM):
http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS):
http://www.superantispyware.com/
They can be uninstalled later if desired.
If it is Windows Explorer that is reporting the Data Execution
Protection error, suspect a non Microsoft Explorer Shell Extension.
Shell Extensions help make up the Right Click menu for files you see
in Explorer.
You can download ShellExView from here to see which ones you have
loaded:
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/shexview.html
ShellExView doesn't install anything on your computer, it just runs
and displays.
When you launch it, the non MS extensions will be in light pink, but
on some systems that is a hard color to see, so click View, Choose
Columns and move the Microsoft column closer to the top so you can see
it on your screen without having to scroll left and right.
Sort the display by clicking the Microsoft column so all the "No"s are
at the top and easy to see.
I am not a trial and error advocate, but I can't think of another way
to do this...
Right click and disable the non Microsoft extensions one at a time
keeping a list so you can enable them again later if desired. The
result of the change is immediate and no reboot is required. Test
your failure condition.
If you recognize any extensions that may have been added or downloaded
recently, start with those. The Extensions are not uninstalled, just
disabled.
You can also disable all the non Microsoft extenstions and enable them
one at a time until you find the one that generates the condition.
The hope is that you will find the one Extension that causes the error
and then you can figure out what to do about it - usually get an
update from the maker of the extension from their WWW page.
I don't have your issue but I can see that the Extension is
immediately disabled, so disabling one does not require a reboot but
if you find the culprit, I would reboot anyway to really be sure it is
fixed.
If you find the extension that is the problem, please let us know what
it is.